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Year of the Expansion Teams
Usually it takes about 15 or 20 years, the time until the expansion teams could for the title. Though in politics, it takes a bit longer than in sports. When did California send out its first serious candidate? Oregon? (ever?) Alabama AFAIK didn't have anything until the Civil War rolled around.
So now we're facing the '59 expansion kids, Hawaii and Alaska. Oddly enough, for their very different climates, they share the same record for their highest temperaturs - 100 degrees. And this year they're sending in quite different candidates as well. Will they have the same intensity in the end? We shall see, but it's next to certain we'll have an expansion kid in the White House come November. Maybe that will remove the asterisk next to their names in the record books (*non-continental). Maybe not. But it's the year the new kids on the block came into their own. Maybe one day we'll be watching a Puerto Rico - Wash DC playoff. And then again, maybe one day pigs will fly.
Comments (5)
I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that Quinn, our modest omnipresent Quinn (when he's not taking overlong luxurious vacations to parts unrevealed. Okay, to the eastern weird coast of Canada) is an effing genius. Already, praises of Palin as hockey mom are ringing across the Internets. Also this choice quote: “While [Barack Obama] wants to ban AR-15s, Palin shoots AR-15s, and apparently pretty well.” Not only that, she's a Pentecostal!!! (Until say 3 1/2 minutes ago, I'd never realized what a plus that was in an election). Over the next two months we will soon discover that she actually delivered her own child with a fishing utility knife and a bit of bait from her tackle box.
The most important thing to remember is that no matter how much the media screams over this *Republicans do not care*. In fact they enjoy railing against the stupidity of the press. We have all the trappings of a wonderful cult of personality blossoming, myths multiplying like mannah from heaven. These are going to be really weird times - hold onto your seats.
August 31, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I get the effing genius a lot. Though sometimes they skip the genius part altogether. I've decided it's just 'cause they find it hard to pronounce.
I was part of the '59 expansion, funny enough, which ended with my Mum being induced in a Beckenham hospital. Which was apparently the closest they could get to Bethlehem. This makes no sense to any of you does it? Odd thing is, it does to me. Tra la, tra la.
Ok. The one thing to keep in mind with expansion teams is that they tend to play Crazy Ball - i.e. they ain't traditional. They're Amazin'. But once they've won, it's tough to keep the team together. i.e. They go broke & sell off - or out - most anything of value.
By the way, this thing has SEATS? I donno, haven't set down yet. 'Murcans DO love their entertainment - WWF, American Gladiator, Presidential politics. PALIN! PALIN! PALIN!
Hockey Moms? Shit, people here are comparing the Palin choice using a TENNIS analogy. I had to leave that one alone. "I believe it's your serve, John. Why thank you, Barack. Well played."
Kill me. NOW. I asked polite earlier, but I'm demandin' now. Do it, DES... DO IT!!!!!
August 31, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious! I wouldn't be surprised to hear something just like that coming from Limbaugh and Fox News.
You have a good point that Republicans love to hate the press, so any critical naysaying may actually fuel their enthusiasm. However, to the extent that the media gushes over the human interest angle of this candidate, Republicans will love the attention. As much as our culture loves persona, rather than person, she should provide a lot for the media to be fascinated about.
Two questions, though -- how long will the human interest chatter on this candidate last, and will it be enough to drown out the legitimate concerns the press will harp on? Which one will have the attention of the swing voters by November?
August 31, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry -- I forgot to compliment your HI/AK theme. Clever!
August 31, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awww shucks, I'm turning red. But whether the press ever gets to substantive questions, and whether these actually impact the great mythical swing voters, still don't know. I imagine Rove & Co. have calculated the electoral votes they think they need. I imagine creationists in Kansas aren't going to be looking at the fine print on any of her other qualifications.
August 31, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
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